50 Funny And Relatable Memes For Anyone Who Struggles In Social Settings (New Pics)

We’ve all heard of FOMO, the fear of missing out, but are you familiar with the term FOGO? It’s for those of us on the opposite end of the spectrum, who would rather spend Saturday night curled up with their cat and a good book than out at a club meeting new people. There’s nothing wrong with being afflicted by FOMO or FOGO, but if the idea of being at a party or surrounded by people you don’t know gives you the heebie-jeebies, we’ve got a safe space for you right here, pandas.

The Fear of Going Out Instagram page is beloved by introverts and antisocial individuals galore. It has shared over 8,000 memes, tweets and photos over the years and has amassed an impressive 235k followers. Whether you struggle to find a balance between having a flourishing social life and enjoying cozy nights in or every single phone call you have to make fills you with dread, we’re sure you’ll find some relatable content on this list. So enjoy scrolling through, and enjoy the moments of peace and quiet you have to do so.  

To learn more about what it's like to need alone time to recharge, we reached out to Michaela Chung, creator of Introvert Spring and author of The Irresistible Introvert: Harness The Power of Quiet Charisma in a Loud World. Michaela was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain what being an introvert means to her.

"Being an introvert means I gain energy from solitude and lose energy in stimulating environments," she explained. "I recognize that I have different needs and challenges than extroverts in social situations. I may need to take more thoughtful pauses in conversation, leave early, or schedule in fewer activities—and that's okay."

When it comes to the perks of being an introvert, Michaela shared, "Introverts are capable of great focus, self-reflection and creativity. We also tend to be very observant. Our calm personality gives people space to relax and be themselves. We're the ultimate Netflix and Chill partners (emphasis on the 'chill')."

On the other hand, Michaela noted that having limited energy to socialize can be really frustrating. "We may want to go to all the weekend parties, but only have the social batteries for one event," she explained. "It's hard not to feel guilty for saying no and staying home."

Michaela also set the record straight about the common misconception that introverts are antisocial. "We're actually selectively social," she noted. "For example, the introvert confidence coaching clients I work with genuinely want to connect with the right people. They'd rather have meaningful conversations with a few like minded people than make mindless small talk with a room full of strangers."

Michaela also wants to assure readers that "it's okay to be an introvert! I always encourage introverts to embrace their quiet strengths. It is possible to confidently socialize in your own introverted way—no extroversion required."

If you'd like to learn more from Michaela or reach out to her for dating or confidence coaching, be sure to visit Introvert Spring!